Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up and coming arts events to mark your calendar for. One of my favorite memories of Max Norton, long-time drummer of Rappongi’s Ace (CL 2009 Best Local Band and Best Americana Act winner) and brand new drummer of The Beauvilles, was watching him hurl his breakfast down the side of my friend’s car as we sped through the early morning hours down a North Carolina freeway on our way home from seeing Gillian Welch, The Felice Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show and a smattering of other Americana favorites at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary.
But despite the upchucked breakfast story, the Roppongi’s Ace and Beauvilles boys ain’t no pusses. They’re “foot-stompin’,” down-home, rock-and-roll Americana at its best, and they’re performing at Vertical Ventures rock climbing warehouse this Tuesday for $7, free rock climbing included (with a waiver, which you bet your ass I’m signing) and all-night dance party afterward, spun by DS@STR and DJ When. Tues., Dec 22, 8 p.m., Vertical Ventures, 5402 Pioneer Park Blvd., Tampa, $7, (813) 884-7625, www.verticalventures.com
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2009.